Tube severing machine



F. GRIEDER TUBE SEVERING MACHINE Oct. 23, 1951 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledMay 11, 1949 a E m& w x M mm \u\ 5 NW N m n a h\ 4 v i; won 1 1 E. wq Iwm m Qt a a B o W A TTORNEYS Oct. 23, 1951 F. GRIEDER TUBE SEVERINGMACHINE 9 Shets-Sheet 2 Filed May 11, 1949 INVENTOR. 56 a! 5/7? aer'ATTORNEYS Oct. 23, 1951 F. GRIEDER 2,572,137

TUBE SEVERING MACHINE Filed May 11, 1949 9 sheets-sheet s INVENTOR. L(79d Gr/eger b BY QM Q @22 Oct. 23, 1951 F. GRIEDER TUBE SEVERINGMACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 11, 1949 A TTORNE Y6 Oct. 23, 1951 F.GRIEDER 2,572,137

TUBE SEVERING MACHINE Filed May 11, 1949 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. Fedfir/eaer ea QMw ATTORNEYS Oct. 23, 1951 F. GRIEDER TUBE SEVERING MACHINE9 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed May 11, 1949 w m m w.

Oct. 23, 1951 F. GRIEDER TUBE SEVERING MACHINE Filed May 11, 1949 9Sheets- Sheet 9 (SEQUENCE D/AGRAM INVENTOR.

Patented Oct. 23, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TU E SEVER NG M C I EFred Gricdcr, Bowling Green, Ohio Application May 11, 1949, Serial No.92,567

6 Claims. 1

This invention relates to machines for severin tubes or the like and isparticularly directed to an automatic device adapted to feed stock intoposition adjacent appropriate cutting tools and to cut ofi predeterminedlengths of the stock.

The primary object of the invention is to provide an operating mechanismfor a machine of this character which operates rapidly through repeatedcycles and which is so arranged that mistiming of the various portionsof the cycle is substantially impossible.

Another object of the invention is to provide a stock feeding mechanismfor a tube cutting machine in which cut pieces are removed from thecutting station in such a manner that the likelihood of jamming of themechanism is great! ly reduced.

Still another object of the invention is to proe vide an automatic tubecut-off machine which includes means for resiliently clamping the tubein place which permits slight variations in tube size and shape withoutcollapsing the tube by the clamping action.

A further object of this invention is to provide a tube severing devicewherein all movable elements are actuated from a single drive shaftwhose operation depends upon the feeding of a predetermined length oftubing to the machine.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent fromthe following detailed 1:

description of a preferred embodiment, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings in Which- Fig. 1 is a perspective front view of amachine embodying the present invention; Fig. 2 is a top 3.;

view with parts broken away of the machine; Fig. 3 is a partial sectionon line 3-.3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic detailed View of amanually operated clutch controlling lever; Fig. 5 is a fragmentaryfront view with parts broken away, i

showing a released position of a severed tube and associated grippingjaws in one position of operation; Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view of themachine, with parts broken away showing a feed roll driving andoscillating mechanism; Fig. 7 is a horizontal section taken below thebed plate of the machine approximately on line T-'i of Fig. 3; Figs. 8and 9 are sections on line 8 -8 and 9- 9, respectively, in Fig. 7,certain parts being broken away in Fig. 9; Figs. 10 and 11 are sectionson line Ill-l0 in Fig. 9; Fig. 12 is a detail view of a clutch operatingdog; Fig. 13 is a fragmentary perspective view of the stock limiting andgauging mechanism; 14 is a fragmentary perspective view of the stockgauging device in one position of its operation; Fig. 1 5 is a sectionon line Iii-l5 of Fig. 13 showing two positions of movement of the stockgauging member and Fig. 16 is a sequence diagram.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to Figs. 1 and. 2, themachine consists of a body or housing 20 in and on which the operatingmechanism is carried. As indicated, the machine is intended to cutpredetermined lengths of tubing from a stock piece designatedZl enteringthe machine from the. left and ejecting cut pieces at the right. The cutpieces are received in any suitable bin not shown.

One method of successfully severing lengths of relatively thin walltubing is first to make a substantially tangential cross-cut in thetubing, withdraw the knife that has made the cross-cut and complete thesevering by a second knife entering at a right angle to the slot oropening made by the first. Details of this method will be brought outlater in this description. It is apparent then that the stock piece 2|must be fed into the machine, a predetermined length gauged 01?, thestock gripped firmly to hold it during the cutting operation, and afterthe cutting operation, ejected from the machine. The present inventionprovides means to initiate the gripping and cutting parts of the cyclefrom the gauging and feeding movements of the stock and initiating thenext successive feeding movement upon completion of the cutting cycle.The two cycles, feeding and cutting, are made independent so that thetime involved in feeding may be greater or less depending on the lengthof tubing and speed of operation of the feed mechanism without in anyway affecting the cycle of operation of the cutting elements.

Both the stock feeding and the tube severing mechanism are driven from acommon motor 23 fixed at the rear of the machine bed and driving apinion 24 which meshes with a drive gear 25 on a shaft 26. The shaft 26extends laterally across the rear of the machine and at one end carriesa sheave 21 which drives a flywheel28 through a multiple strand belt 29.Flywheel 28 is mounted for free rotation on the end of a central machineshaft 30 and is adapted to be clutched to the shaft by a dog clutch 3|,as hereinafter described. Shaft 30 drives all of the tube gripping andcutting mechanisms and, in addition, at the end opposite the flywheel 28is provided with a cam which initiates the feed roll drive for stockfeeding. The details of the sequential movements of the various partsWill be 3 described in connection with the operation of the machine.

The machine is provided with feed rolls 40 preferably disposed inadjacent pairs as indicated in Fig. 2. Each roll comprises a beveledbody mounted on its axis of rotation on a reciprocable slide 42, andincludes a rubber or other resistant gripping surface 44, the contour ofwhich is made to conform generally to the contour of the tubing intendedto be gripped by the rolls. In addition, each roll is provided with agear 99 which meshes with a similar gear on its adjacent roll so thateach pair of gears is driven together in opposite directions. The twopairs of rolls are driven from a common drive gear 99 which is alsomounted on the slide 42 and which is preferably made as a cluster withbevel gear 59. Bevel gear 59 is in mesh with a similar beveled drivingunit 52 on the end of a stub-shaft 54 journaled as at 56 in a rear wall58 of the slide 92. The stub-shaft 54 has a splined connection with asleeve 69 and the sleeve alsoengages the splined end 62 of a drive shaft64 journaled as at 66 in an upstanding, stationary frame part 68. Byreason of the splined connection 69 relative linear motion between shaft64 and stub-shaft 52 can be imparted Without disturbing the drivingrelation of the two shafts.

At its rear end, shaft 34 carries a bevel gear III which meshes with asimilar bevel gear 72 on a back-shaft l4 journaled in brackets 16 and 18at the rear of the machine. Beyond bracket 18 shaft I4 carries a gear 89which meshes with a system of idler gears as indicated in Fig. 6. Ifshaft 26 and shaft M were maintained in perfect alignment and onperfectly spaced centers it would be possible to drive directly throughgearing on fixed centers. However, it is not always possible to maintainperfect spacing and alignment of the shaft parts so that the system ofidler gearing embodied in the present machine is so mounted as tocompensate for variations in the spacing of the shaft centers. The drivefor shaft 74 originates, of course, in shaft 26. A suitable clutchindicated ge al y a 32 s p vided to derive driving force for the feedroll drive shaft 74 from shaft 23.

Clutch 82 is journaled over a reduced extension 8'! of shaft 25 andcarries a pinion 83 which meshes With a first idler gear 84 journaled ina bracket 85 which includes an extension 83 mounted for relatively freeswinging movements over shaft 29. Bracket 85 also includes a secondupstanding pivoted arm 88 which carries a journal 89 on which a secondidler set 99, 9! is mounted with gear 99 in mesh with gear 89. for shaftI9 is thus through clutch 82, pinion 83, gear 84, idler 9I, idler 99 andgear 89. It will be apparent that whenever clutch 82 is engaged,rotative movement is imparted to shaft I4 and thus idler gears I0, I2,shaft 69, stub-shaft 56, bevel gears 59, 52 and gear 48 to the feedrolls 4D.

The stock 2I is fed past the cutting stations by the feed rolls 49 untilit engages a stop 92. This stop is mounted upon a rod 93, which isslidably positioned within a cylindrical member 94. Suitable clampingmembers 95 are provided which are integral with the cylindrical member94 and which are designed to adiustably support the cylindrical member94 upon a, support axle 96. Brackets 9?, 98 and 99 are mounted upon asupport arm I09 and have aligned apertures in which the support axle 96is rotatab-ly mounted. At one end of the support axle 96 is located arock The drive 4 ing lever IOI which is connected to a rock shaft I02 bya link I03 and rock arm I93, the link I93 being pivotally connected bothto the rocking lever I DI and the rock arm "13 At the other end of therock shaft, a rock arm I 94 carrying a roller I'Il I engages a cam I95mounted upon the main drive shaft 30. A spring I96 positioned upon a rodI91, which is attached to the bracket 99 at one end and which passesthrough an eyelet I08 in the rock arm I93 bears against the eyelet I08so as to rotate the support axle 95 to a position such that the stop 92is disposed in the path of the stock 2I, as shown in full lines inFigure 13. When the high part of the cam I95 pushes back that end of therock arm I94 bearing the roller I M the upper end of the rock arm I 03"moves against the pressure of the spring I06 and acts upon the rockinglever IOI through the link I03, so as to rotate the support axle 96 inorder to move the stop 92 out of the path of the stock 2 I, as shown inFigure 14. The actual movement of the stop 92 is shown both in Figure 13and in Figure 15.

' A guide roller I99 is mounted upon a bracket III) for the purpose ofaligning the stock 2I with the stop 92. A plurality of similar guiderollers may be supported to engage above or below the stock to assureaccurate lineal feeding movements. As the stock 2i moves forwardly andis forced against the stop 92, it forces the rod 93 rearwardly againstthe pressure of a spring I I I, which tends to hold the stop 92 in theextended position. As the rod 93 continues to be moved rearwardly by theadvancing stock piece, it contacts an electrical switch I I2 whichenergizes an electrical circuit that includes a solenoid II3. Thissolenoid controls the clutch 31 for the main drive shaft 39, as will behereinafter described.

The drive shaft 39 is mounted in longitudi nal frame supports H4, H5 andH9, as shown in Figure 7, which may be cast or welded into the machineframe. Main bearings H7, H8 and H9 are provided to journal the driveshaft 39 in sup ports H4, H5 and IIS, respectively. The clutch mechanismfor the main drive shaft 30 is a single cycle, dog type clutchdesignated generally 3I, which includes a clutch plate I20 keyed to themain shaft 30 by a key I21. As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the clutchplate I20 has a recess por tion I22, in which is mounted a dog I23. Theflywheel 28 is formed with a hub I24 containing a plurality of socketsI25 which are aligned radially with the dog I23 to permit the dog to engage therein. A spring I25 is mounted within the dog I23 and bearsagainst a stop I 21 so as to urge the dog intoengagement with the socketI25, as shown in Figure 11. The clutch plate I 20 is formed with anannular groove I28 therein which is aligned with a diagonal slot I29 inthe dog I23.

The dog I23 is held in the disengaged position shown in Figure 10 by awedge I39, which is shown in detail in Figure 2. This wedge comprises aplate I 3I to which is attached a suitable metal insert I32 having abevel I33 upon its forward end. The wedge I3I is pivoted, as shown atI34, and is withdrawn from the path of the clutch dog by a mechanismwhich includes a rock lever I35 pivoted at I36 and attached to the wedgeI38 by a link I31. The solenoid actuates an armature I39 which ispivotally attached by a link I39 to the rock lever I35. When thesolenoid H3 is energized, the armature I38 movesdownwardly, thus raisingthe opposite end of the; lever I35 and withdrawing the wedge I39 from:

51 the. path of the: clutch-,dog; shown. 'iniadottfid lihesinFigur-e 9;.Whenthe-solenoid Hirisudeenergized, the wedge I311; .isreturned; to:the-full;- line position shown in. Figure 9 whereit: can on.- gage withthe dog I23. Engagementzis assured: by a rod 149-. urged downwardly by aspring M seated againsta bracketsI- l-Z. An adjustable stop screw f itis mounted. in .aybra-cket M4; above the rock lever 135 in order to:limit: thejm'ovement of the dog retracting wedge i311]; towardthe-clutch plate r28. As shown in Figure-9;, a hahd'lever I 4.5 isprovided, which isattached' to a finger M5 that bears upon the free endof the rock: lever 135-, thus permitting manual: operation of: thedrives-bait clutch 3].

As soon as rotation is imparted to the-main drive shaft so by engagementof the main-drive clutch 3!, a cam I41 (Fig. 22) mounted thereondisengages the feed roll clutch 82 through abell; crank lever Me and ashifting yoke 159. When. a roller I516, mounted upon one end of the bellcrank lever Hi8, engages the high part of the cam I41, it rotates thebell crank lever about its pivot I5! and forces the opposite end, of thebell. crank lever against atongue I52 forming-an integral portion of theyoke M9. The downward movement of the bell crank lever against thetongue I52 rotates the yoke 149 about its pivot I53, so as to shiftfor}; fingers I54 positioned at the end of the yoke I49. The fingers I54are slid ablymounted in a shifting collar portion of the, clutch 82, andthe movement imparted to the yoke and fingers disengages the clutch 82by :moving it along the reduced extension '81- of the drive shaftagainst the action of a spring 455, which normallyholdsthe clutch 82 inengagement with the constantly rotating gear 25.

As the main shaft 35- continues to rotate. the low point of the cam I 41is brought into engagement with the roller I150, thus reversing thedirec-. tion of movement of the bell crank lever 148-. the yoke I49 andtheclutch collar toagain permit. spring I55 to engage the clutch 52with. the-gear 25.. This engagement, of course, takesplace only when thefeed rolls are to be driven. The-drive to the feed rolls is interrupted,as-aboveset forth, immediately upon rotation of the "main drive shaft30.

The feed roll clutch 82 may also be operated manually by a hand lever225 (Figures) affixed to a shaft 226 having an eccentric 2-21- attachedto its lower end. This eccentric is mounted in a block .228 .affixecl toa rod 229 which is coupled at 23.53. to the yoke M9. Movement of theeccentric 221 within the block 22d reciprocates the free end of the yokeM9 to engage or to disengage the clutch 82.

In the automatic operation of the machine, the stock is moved into placeby the feed rolls and is. clamped between die blocks, as in. a visecor-nprising a stationary block or jaw 156 and a movable block orjawI51, as shown in Figure 3. The dieblocks. are spaced as shown in theplan sectional view of Figure 5, topermit passage therethrough of boththe horizontal cutter and the vertical cutter. A groove extending acrosscomplementary faces of the dies or jaws permits passage of thehorizontal cutter, while slots between each ja-w adjacent the tubegripping portion permits passage of the vertical cutter. The motion ofthe movable jawtoward the stationary jaw of the vise is originated by apair of complementary cams I58 and I59 on shaft 30 (Fig. '1). These camsare so formed that cam followers. 1'66 and I'6I mounted in a V-shapedarm I62will' ride,

thereof: Thearm, 1.62 is connected through aroc'k.

shaft I63 to a lever I63 which in turn is pivotally connected to atoggle operating rod Hi l. Book shaft IE3 is journaled in any suitablebearing in; support 115. A knee I65 isiormed upon the upper end of thetoggle bar I54 and is a pivoting point vfor one. arm of a toggle link155', which is connected to a slide member I81 in which the movable jaw151 is mounted. The other arm of the, toggle link is designated I65 andis pivotally connected to .a backing member I69, which is slidablymounted within a. bracket I10. A washer I1]: or packing of resilientmaterial i interposed between the. backing member I59 and a hollowcylindrical adjustment screw I12 to hold the backing member I89 inposition against the resilient washer 11L It will be seen that as thecamfollower I60. contacts a high portion of the cam I58 and the camfollower [6| contacts a low portion of the cam I59, the toggle operatingrod IE4 is moved upwardly by the lever [63 thus forcing the jaw I51toward the jaw I56 and around the stock 2 I. Since the backing memberI69 is. freely slidable and is mounted against the resilient washer ill,a certain amount of resilience in the grip of the movable jaw I51 isobtained so that over-thick stock pieces and similarirregularitiescannot damage or jam the machine. The amount of resiliencein the joint and the adjustment of the jaws I56, I51 may be controlledby the adjustment screw I12.

As previously described, the tube cutting mechanism .of the presentinvention comprises a horizontal cutter blade I14 .and a vertical cutterblade I15. Movement i imparted to the horizontal cutter blade I14 bymeans of a crank I16- mounted upon the drive shaft 30 (Figs. 3 and 7). Aconnecting rod I11 attached to a crank pin [18 forming part of the crankI15 is pivotally connected at the other end to a rock lever 119 which ispivoted about rock shaft I journaled in the frame support t I5. At theopposite end of the rock shaft .I-BD a second rock lever is provided,atthe upper end of which is mounted a ball I8 1. within a socket I82forming a part of a slide I83, to which the horizontal cutter 114 isattached by a bolt I84. Slide I 83 is gibbed 'in the machine frame inany suitable manner. As the crank pin I18 revolves about the axi ofrotation of the main shaft 3%, the rod I11 rocks the rock lever 119about the axis of rock shaft I85 to impart -a reciprocal motion to theslide [:83 through the ball i8 1 and the socket I 82.

' This motion is sufficient to carry the horizontal cutter blade I 14through the top portion of the stock 2i and back out of the path of thedescending vertical cutter blade I15.

The vertical cutter blade 11-5 is a relatively narrow blade having itsmajor dimensions perpendicular to the length of the stock. The blade isgiven asinusoidal motion from the main shaft 3.0.. A crank 186' (Fig?)drives a red I 81 which is pivotally connected at $83 to an arm I89. Oneend of the arm 589 is pivoted on a bearing I9 3, while the opposite endbears a ball I91 engaged in :a socket I92 forming an integral portion ofthe sliding bracket, indicated generally at I93, which carries thevertical cutter blade 115. As the crank I8 6 moves the rod I81 avertical reciprocal motion, this same motion is imparted through the armI 89 to the bracket 1'93, which carries the blade I15. In order topermit a ready I replacement of the blade I15, the bladeis attached to ablock 1-94, which in turn is attached to the bracket I93 by means of abolt I95. The pin I96 aids in positioning the block I94. The slide I93is gibbed in the front face of a top upstanding frame part in suitableguides.

Occasionally a burr or other deformity may be produced upon the stock 9|and become wedged in the slot in the stationary vise jaw I56, so as tojam the machine. The present invention provides a novel apparatus foravoiding this by moving the stock away from the stationary jaw I56, asshown in Figure 5, during the feeding movement. The mechanism foreffecting this stock freeing movement may best be seen by referring toFigure 6, in which is shown a cam I9'I mounted on the drive shaft 39 andhaving a land I 98 and a groove I99 formed on opposite sides thereof.Cam followers 299 and 295 are mounted in a lever 292, which is pivotedat 293 and has an arm 294 extending into a recess in the slide 42, whichis encompassed by a bearing insert 295. When the cam followers 299 and29I contact the land I98 and the groove IS'I', respectively, the lever202 pivots about the fulcrum 293 to move all of the feed rolls on theslide 42: to the right in Figure 6 due to pressure from the arm 294. Asthe cam I9'I continues to rotate, the feed rolls 49 are again moved backto their normal position as the cam followers 299 and 29! once againride upon the circular surface of the cam I97. Stock being fed betweenthe feed rolls is thus given a lateral freeing movement with respect tothe visa jaws, and this movement is timed by cam I 9! to coincide withthe beginning of the operation of the feed rolls. Not only is the stockfreed by the lateral movement, but engagement which might cause scoringof the stock by the dies is eliminated since contact between the partsis prevented.

As previously described, the cam I95 mounted upon the drive shaft 39actuates the mechanism which moves the stop 92 out of line of the stock2|. When this occurs, the solenoid H3 is deenergized and the springtension member I49 moves the dog retracting wedge I39 back into the pathof the clutch dog I23 in order to disengage the latter from the socketI25 of the flywheel when the dog is brought into engagement with thewedge I39 by the rotation of the flywheel. In order to reduce themovement of the main shaft 39 after disengagement of the clutch 3|, abrake is provided, as shown in Figure 8, which includes a drum 299 keyedto the main shaft 39 by a key 29?. A brake shoe 298 is hinged at 299 andhas a liner 2I9 attached to the inside thereof. Opposite the hinge 299 apair of lugs 2H and 2I2 are attached to the brake shoe 298 and are urgedtoward one another by means of a spring 2| 3 mounted upon a bolt 2I4,which passes through lugs 2I2 and 2. A nut 2I5 prevents withdrawal ofthe bolt 2 from the lug 2, so that the spring 2|3 urges the lug 2 I2toward the lug 2i I. The brake is operated by a cam 2I6, which ismounted upon the drive shaft 39 and which carries upon its surface a camfollower 2|! rotatably mounted in an arm 2|8. The arm 2|8 pivots aboutthe axis 2I9 upon which is rigidly positioned an elliptical cam 229. Thecam 229 is located between two adjustable bearing screws 22I and 222positioned in lugs 2H and 2| 2, respectively. When the cam follower 2|!is in the depression 223 in the cam 2| 6, the narrow dimension of thecam 229 is presented to the bearing screws 22| and 222, so that thebrake liner 2|9 engages the drum 296 to effect a braking action on the 8main shaft 39. When the cam follower 2|I rises upon the higher portionof the cam 2I6, the cam 229 rotates to spread the lugs 2H and 2|2 apartagainst the action of spring 2|3, thus releasing'the brake.

In the operation of the machine just described,

the withdrawal of the wedge 39 from contact with the dog I23. Almostimmediately the spring I26 forces the dog I23 into engagement with aflywheel socket I25 in the hub I24, so as to initiate rotation of themain shaft 39.

As the main shaft 39 begins to rotate, the feed roll clutch 82 isimmediately disengaged from the gear 25 by the bell crank I48 and yokeI49 actuated by the cam I41 mounted on the main shaft 39.

Since operation of the electrical switch 2 stops the feeding of stock tothe machine, the length of stock out off will depend upon the locationof the stop 92 and the switch I I2. Variation in the length of thecut-off portions of tubing may be made by adjusting the clamping membersalong the support axle 96.

As soon as the feeding movement of the stock 2| has stopped and rotationof main shaft 39 started, the stock is clamped between the jaws I59 andI5! and the horizontal cutter blade I14 moves across the top portion ofthe stock 2|, cutting a tangential slot therein. As the horizontalcutter blade withdraws from the stock, the vertical cutter bladeimmediately moves downwardly through the slot in the stock out by thehorizontal cutter blade, and completely through the stock to sever apiece of predetermined length. Since movement of both cutter blades isderived from the same shaft, it is impossible for these two cuttingmechanisms to get out of properly timed relation.

During operating of the stock gripping and cutting parts, cam I95 movesits associated system of rock levers I 94 and I93 to cause oscillationof the long rod 96 to which the bracket 94 is fixed. The bracket is thusrotated, carrying the stop and gauge block 92 away from the end of thestock to the position indicated in Figure 14. Spring III which has beencompressed by the advancing stock is now released and expands, forcingblock 92 outwardly and away from bracket 94. As the oscillation, of rod96 is completed, the block 92 will drop down on the upper surface of thestock and will remain there until the severed piece is ejected by thenext feeding cycle when it will again move down into the path of theuncut tube. Spring I95 supplements the weight of the bracket and blockin properly positioning the latter.

When the stop 9?. rotates out of the way of the stock 2 I, it alsoreleases the switch IE2, thus deenergizing the solenoid ||3 so that therotation of main shaft 39 is limited to a single turn. As shaft 39completes its turn, the clutch dog I23 will engage wedge I39 causing thedog to be withdrawn from engagement with the flywheel. At this point inthe cycle the brake 299, 2|9, is set, stopping the main drive shaft 39;

mal position. Consequently,

game

and at this same point the feed roll clutch the present invention has:many advantages.

Among the more obvious advantages-is the'independent operation of thefeed rolls and the cut-pit"- mechanism, so thatthe length of tubingcutoif'is always the same regardless of any possible slippage of the feedrolls or change in speed with which the stock is fed tothe machine.Also,the one-cycle clutch and brake devices mounted'upon the main shaftare of such constructionthat precise timing is unnecessary, so long asthe main shaft stops within range of the clutch. lEhe stop mechanism, orgauging device, moves completely out of the way of the stock and springsforward so that it comes down upon the top-of the stock when returned tonorthis movement makes it impossible for jamming to occur between thestock andthestop mechanism. Simple means are provided to permit the stopto be moved-backwards or forwards and thus vary the length of thepieceof stock to be cut off. By shifting the entire feed roll assembly,and thus moving the stock completely free from the stationary visemember, any possibility of jamming within the vise is eliminated. Anadditional feature of the vise is the provision of a resiliently mountedmovable jaw which permits variations in the diameter and the shapeof-the tubebeing out without collapsing thetube duringthe-cutting-operation.

It will also be apparent that many variations may be made in thespecific embodiment of the invention disclosed in the accompanyingdrawings without departingfrom the scope of this invention. For example,the positioning and number offeed rolls maybe varied to suit theindividual situation. The size and shape of the cutting blades willvary, of course, with the size of stock being cut, the particularmaterial forming the stock, etc. Furthermore, the cutting blades neednot be horizontal and vertical, but may be positioned at any point aboutthe circumference of the stock, it being necessary only that thesevering cutter enter the stock through the groove formed by the firstcutter. Although the particular vise mechanism disclosed in the drawingscomprises a movable jaw and a stationary jaw, both jaws may be movable,if such construction is preferred. These and many other possiblevariations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

What I claim is:

l. A tube severing machine, which comprises a plurality of opposed feedrolls for feeding tube stock through the machine, a stop located inalignment with the stock after it is fed through the feed rolls, a visehaving a stationary jaw and a movable jaw and adapted to clamp the stockin a fixed position at a point between the feed rolls and the stop, saidjaws having a groove across the top and a slot in line with the grooveand extending through the jaws adjacent the stock, a cutter bladeslidably mounted in the groove in said vise jaws in a directioncrosswise of the stock and adapted to cut a slot inner diameter thereof,a second cutter blade slidably mounted crosswise of the stock andapproximately at right angles to the first cutter blade and adapted tocompletely sever the stock by penetrating it at the point where itis'slotted by the first cutter blade, a main shaft, a clutch mounted onthe main shaft and adapted to engage a power source, a gear traindriving the feed rolls, a clutch connected to the gear train and adaptedto engage a power source, a cam on the main shaft, means connecting saidcam and the feed roll clutch whereby the cam regulates'the action of theclutch, means connected --to the main shaft for driving, the cutterblades in sequence, a second cam mounted on the main shaft, and meansactuated by said second cam to move the feed rolls bodily in a directionaway from the stationary jaw after the severing out has been made.

2. An automatic tube cut-off machine, which comprises a plurality ofopposed feed rolls for feeding tube stock to the machine, a gear trainfor driving said rolls, a clutch connected to the gear train and adaptedto engage a power source, a main drive shaft, a" clutch connected to themain drive shaft and adapted to engage a power source, a slidablymounted stop aligned with and moved by the stock as it is fed to themachine, means connecting the stop and the main drive shaft clutch foroperating the clutch after a predetermined movement of the stop, a viseso positioned as to clamp the stock at a point between the feed rollsand the stop and comprising a stationary jaw and a movable jaw, meansoperated by the main drive shaft for actuating the movable vise jaw, acutter blade slidably mounted in a direction crosswise of the stock forcutting a groove in a wall of that section of the stock held in thevise, a second cutter blade slidably mounted crosswise of the stock atapproximately right angles to said first cutter blade and adapted tosever the stock by first entering the groove cut by the first cutterblade at approximately a perpendicular thereto, means connected to themain drive shaftfor driving thetwo cutter blades in sequence, meansconnected to the main drive shaft for moving the stop out of alignmentwith the stock and subsequently bringing the stop back down on top ofthe stock, means connected to the main drive shaft for moving the feedrolls in a direction such that the stock is moved away from thestationary vise jaw, and means connecting the main drive shaft with thefeed roll clutch for automatically engaging said clutch with the powersource when the main drive shaft clutch becomes disengaged and viceversa.

3. An automatic tube cut-off machine, which comprises a plurality ofopposed feed rolls for feeding tubestock through the machine, a stop inalignment with the stock as it is fed into the machine, means forresiliently mounting the stop, means for moving the stock, means formoving the stop out of alignment with the stock and then back on top ofthe stock as resilient means urge the stop forward, a vise comprising astationary jaw and a movable jaw adapted to clamp the stock in a fixedposition at a point between the feed rolls and the stop, said vise jawshaving a groove in corresponding faces and a slot continuing from thebottom of said groove through each vise jaw adjacent the stock-receivingportion thereof, a cutter blade slidably mounted in a directioncrosswise of the stock so as to pass through the grooves in the visejaws and produce 11 a groove in the stock approximately tangential tothe inner diameter thereof, a second cutter blade slidably mountedcrosswise of the stock ,and so located as to enter the groove made bythe first cutter blade at an angle substantially perpendicular thereto,thus passing through the slots in the vise jaws and severing the stock,a power source, a main drive shaft, a clutch connected to the main driveshaft and adapted to engage the power source, a gear train for drivingthe feed rolls, a clutch connected to the gear .train and adapted toengage a power source,

means connected to the main drive shaft for actuating the feed rollclutch, the stop shifting means, the movable vise jaw, and the twocutting blades, an electrical circuit including a switch and a solenoid,means connecting the solenoid and the main drive shaft clutch to causethe latter to engage the power source, and means attached to the stop tooperate the electrical switch and energize the solenoid when a givenlength of stock has been fed to the machine. 4. An automatic tubecut-off machine, which comprises a plurality of feed rolls for feedingtube stock to the machine, a stop located in alignment with and engagedby the stock after it is fed through the feed rolls, a vise adapted toclamp the stock at a point intermediate the feed rolls and the stop andhaving a stationary jaw and a movable jaw for clamping the stock duringa severing action, cutter means for severing the stock, means actuatedby the stop when moved by the feeding stock to actuate the cutter meansto sever the stock, a slide member for laterally positioning the feedrolls, means operated in timed relation with the cutter means for movingthe slide member in a direction such that the feed rolls carry the stockaway from the stationary vise jaw after completion of the cuttingoperation.

5. In an automatic tube cut-off machine hav ing tube cutting means,means for clamping the tube during a cutting off operation, and meansfor intermittently feeding predetermined lengths of tube to clamping andcutting off position, the provision in connection with said feed meansof a set of feed rolls in adjacent relation to the clamping means, aslide carrying said set of rolls and mounted for movements to shift thetube laterally of its feed movement and relative to the clamping means,and means operable after a cutting off operation and a release of theclamping means to shift the slide and thereby move the feed roll set andengaged tube laterally to provide feeding clearance between the tube andclamping means.

6. In an automatic tube cut-off machine having tube cutting means, meansfor clamping the tube during a cutting off operation, and means forintermittently feeding predetermined lengths of tube to clamping andcutting off position, the provision in connection with said feed meansof a set'of feed rolls in adjacent relation to the clamping means, meanscarrying said set of rolls for reciprocatory movements transverse to theline of feed to efiect lateral shifting of the tube to and from clampingposition whereby the tube when feeding has clearance relative to theclamping means, and means automatically operable in synchronizedrelation to the tube feeding, clamping and cutting operations to shiftthe means carrying the set of feed rolls to place the tube in clampingposition prior to the cutting operation and in clearance relation to theclamping means during a feeding operation.

FRED GRIEDER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Re. 22,114 Borzym June 16, 19421,089,273 Saylor Mar. 3, 914 1,261,305 Seybold Apr. 2, 1918 1,269,635Neuman June 18, 1918 1,782,692 Lawson Nov. 25, 1930 1,874,296Huntsberger Aug. 30, 1932 2,247,766 Boerger July 1, 1941 2,260,611 DiSanto Oct. 28, 1941 2,262,599 Bolz Nov. 11, 1941 2,361,595 Broersma Oct.31, 1944

